CHAPTER 5
PRESTIGE CLASSES Illus. by B. Williams
Dwarf Traits: Dwarves have stonecunning, which PCs minding their own business in a gnome community grants them a +2 racial bonus on Search checks to might run afoul of an NPC blade bravo looking to prove notice unusual stonework. A dwarf who merely comes herself. Such characters often incite duels against visitors within 10 feet of it can make a Search check as if actively because they get a home crowd advantage, and whether they win or lose, their foe isn’t likely to stick around and searching. cause trouble. When standing on the ground, dwarves are exceptionAdaptation: This prestige class bears some similarity ally stable and have a +4 bonus on ability checks made to to the duelist prestige class presented on page 185 of the resist being bull rushed or tripped. They have a +1 racial Dungeon Master’s Guide, but some of the blade bravo’s class bonus on attacks against orcs and goblinoids. Dwarves features work best for Small PCs. A straightforward change have a +4 racial bonus to Armor Class against giants. would involve broadening the racial requirement to allow *Dwarves have a +2 racial bonus on saving throws halflings and perhaps some Small or smaller fey into this against spells and spell-like effects. prestige class. Flesh of My Flesh (Ex): Lucana gains a +1 sacred bonus Hit Die: d8. to AC when she wears armor she has crafted. Cleric Spells Prepared (6/6/5/3/2; save DC 12 + spell level): 0—detect magic (2), detect poison, guidance, light, resistance; Requirements To qualify to become a blade bravo, a character must ful1st—bless, divine favor (2), magic stone*, obscuring mist, shield fill all the following criteria. of faith; 2nd—aid, bear’s endurance, hold person (2), shield Race: Gnome. other*; 3rd—dispel magic, magic vestment, protection from Base Attack Bonus: +5. energy*; 4th—divine power, spell immunity*. Skills: Bluff 4 ranks. *Domain Spell. Domains: Earth (turn air creatures Feats: Combat Expertise, Weapon Finesse, or rebuke earth creatures 1/day), Protection (protecWeapon Focus (rapier). tive ward grants +7 resistance bonus on next save, 1/day). Class Skills Possessions: +1 full plate, +1 heavy steel shield, The blade bravo’s class skills (and the key abil+1 dwarvencraft* warhammer, gauntlets of ogre ity for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), power, amulet of natural armor +1, cloak of resisClimb (Str), Concentration (Con), Escape Artist tance +1, ring of protection +1, scroll of cure (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Perform moderate wounds, 2 platinum rings (50 gp each), 5 pp, 8 gp. (Cha), Sense Motive (Wis), and Tumble *New item type described in Chapter 7. (Dex). See Chapter 4 of the Player’s Handbook for skill descriptions. Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier. Younger gnomes consider it fashionable to engage in rapier duels for honor and glory. These Class Features duels are typically fought more for sport than All of the following are class features of the blade anger, and after a few drubbings, most youths bravo prestige class. tire of the game and move on to less dangerous Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Blade pursuits. A few, however, possess a real talent bravos gain no proficiency with any weapon. for fencing and develop a love of the blade and They do gain proficiency battle. They become addicted to the rush with light armor. of combat and devote themselves to Flourish (Ex): A blade studying its many strategies. Their bravo learns to fight with obsession transforms the style and flair. While many sport, elevating the sometimes might discount their swirls inelegant cut and thrust of battle and poses as cheap theatrics, into an art form that can leave observers in truth they act as a formidable weapon. breathless and opponents bloody. These Uli Quindal, By diverting her foe’s eye with these flourishes, a blade bravos also specialize in techniques a blade bravo blade bravo can more easily feint, preventing her opponent to battle creatures larger than they are—a from fully defending himself against her next attack. A necessity for any gnome interested in pursuing the arts blade bravo can add her class level to her Bluff checks when of war. feinting in combat. Not surprisingly, gnome fighters and rogues of all types This benefit only applies when the blade bravo wears light find themselves drawn to the life of the blade bravo. Even armor or no armor. spellcasters sometimes adopt the study of the rapier for a Goad: A blade bravo gains Goad (see page 140) as a bonus time, although few are willing to leave their spells behind feat. If the blade bravo has at least 5 ranks in Bluff, the save entirely for a simple blade. DC to avoid the feat’s effect increases by 2.
BLADE BRAVO
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